
Burnham raises question of UK return to EU
The prime minister has put rejoining the bloc on the table, reopening debate over Brexit without setting out a proposal or policy change.
Event
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham raised the possibility of Britain rejoining the European Union, reopening debate over Brexit. University of Cambridge European law professor Catherine Barnard said he was signalling that the UK was considering alternatives to being outside the EU.
2 published stories · security · source reliability 33%

The prime minister has put rejoining the bloc on the table, reopening debate over Brexit without setting out a proposal or policy change.
Background
The UK’s possible return to the EU is a divisive issue. France 24 described Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s remarks as breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister. Cambridge European law professor Catherine Barnard said he was signalling that the UK was considering alternatives to being outside the EU. The report provides no details of a proposal or policy change.
The UK’s possible return to the EU is a divisive issue. France 24 described Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s remarks as breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister. Cambridge European law professor Catherine Barnard said he was signalling that the UK was considering alternatives to bei
Fact cards
Key entities: Andy Burnham, Catherine Barnard, University of Cambridge, European Union.
Has the UK decided to rejoin the EU? The supplied material does not report such a decision. Did Burnham set out a proposal or conditions for rejoining? No details are provided in the material. What did Catherine Barnard say the remarks signalled? She said the UK was considering a
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/uk-pm-burnham-reopens-divisive-debate-on-rejoining-eu | published 2026-09-30T20:55:42.000Z | primary source | France 24 article, issued 30 September 2026 | Reports Burnham’s remarks and quotes Catherine Barnard. | Event digest
2026-09-30: France 24 reported Burnham had put rejoining the EU “on the table”. 2026-09-30: Catherine Barnard interpreted the remarks as signalling consideration of alternatives to being outside the EU.
Timeline
France 24 reported Burnham had put rejoining the EU “on the table”.
Catherine Barnard interpreted the remarks as signalling consideration of alternatives to being outside the EU.
FAQ
The supplied material does not report such a decision.
No details are provided in the material.
She said the UK was considering alternatives to being outside the EU.
The possibility of Britain rejoining the European Union.
She said he was signalling that Britain was considering alternatives to being outside the EU.
The supplied material gives no details of policy steps or a timetable.